Currently serving as a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I have the privilege of combining my love for gaming with the art of storytelling. My role involves crafting engaging narratives that keep our audience abreast of the latest developments in the gaming world.
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The GTA 5 trio of voice actors has agreed to return for a GTA 6 DLC.
They have referred to the DLC as “One Last Score,” implying this will be one final heist from the trio.
This would be the second time Steven Ogg has expressed his interest in playing Trevor again.
One of the best things about GTA 5 was the three different protagonists it featured, which was considered groundbreaking at the time. The voice actors for Michael, Trevor, and Franklin have been representing their characters more than anyone from the franchise.
GTA 5 may not be the last we see of this trio, though. In a new panel talk featuring the three voice actors, all expressed their interest in returning to a GTA 6 DLC that would close their chapters.
Why it matters: The voice actors for GTA 5’s trio have become fan favourites due to their fan interactions. For them to reprise their role once again will be a dream come true for the fandom.
From the latest Comic Con Brussels, Steven Ogg, Ned Luke, and Shawn Fonteno were asked by a fan about their thoughts on returning for a GTA 6 DLC to return to Los Santos.
The responses were pretty positive, with Luke initially answering that it’d be great and following up by exclaiming, “One Last Score,” referring to the DLC. All of the voice actors were pretty stoked about the idea, with Steven Ogg later urging fans to send postcards.
It would be amazing to revisit Los Santos after Vice City and plan one more heist with the infamous trio in GTA 6, featuring updated visuals and after a time skip.
Trevor Almost Got A Story DLC Of His Own In GTA 5
For those not familiar, GTA 5’s canon ending was ending C, where all the protagonists end up surviving. Eagle-eyed fans also spotted a boat in GTA 6’s trailer that looked similar to Michael’s, hinting at a possible connection.
Moreover, this isn’t the first time that Steven Ogg has expressed his interest in playing Trevor again. His previous pitch was almost out of the question, but it still shows that he’s passionate about the role.
At Tech4Gamers, I mainly cover new gaming news, leaks, and rumours. Aside from that, I love to write features about my favourite games while inserting my opinion about their different aspects.
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Recently, the developer of Stellar Blade gave its employees a Nintendo Switch 2 to celebrate 3 million sales.
Now, the Lies of P developer has followed the same trend and celebrated 3 million sales by gifting its employees bonuses, paid vacations, and Switch 2.
Both of these companies are from Korea, so Western developers are yet to follow this trend.
Shift Up, the developer of Stellar Blade, is known for treating its employees right. The developer has already gifted its employees a PS5 Pro, 5 million won, and a Nintendo Switch 2 this year.
While this gesture, unfortunately, isn’t common in the industry, another developer has joined the trend. The Lies of P developer has recently gifted its employees bonuses, paid holidays, and a Nintendo Switch 2 after achieving the 3 million sales milestone.
Why it matters: Treating employees right is the way to go, as it boosts morale, which in turn motivates them to work even harder. This ultimately benefits the company, so such gestures should become a common practice.
A South Korean publication, The Elec, has revealed that the title and its DLC have now sold over 3 million copies on all platforms. Neowiz, the game’s publisher, has rewarded every developer involved in the title’s development.
The publisher will be gifting every employee involved in the development of Lies of P a bonus of 10 million won ($7300), a two-week paid vacation, and a Nintendo Switch 2. This is how employees should be treated in the workplace, and it is good to see more developers following this trend.
Shift Up is a Korean developer that gained fame for treating its employees well. It should be noted that Neowiz and Round 8 Studios aren’t Western developers. These two are South Korean companies, so the dream of Western companies following this trend is still just a dream.
Fans have also claimed that Western companies could never achieve what these Korean companies are doing, as they believe the former are too busy imposing a political agenda into video games and hiring “specialists” to do so.
Lies of P has reached 7 million players in just 6 months after release, primarily due to subscription services like Game Pass. The game and its DLC have sold a combined 3 million copies, which is a notable achievement.
What do you think about Lies Neowiz following the same trend as the Stellar Blade Developer? Do you think employees should be treated like this more often? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section below or join the official Tech4Gamers forums for discussion.
At T4G, my task is to cover the latest news around the gaming globe ASAP and with the utmost precision. I adore all the games and respect all the devs behind the amazing games that we get all year. So, whether it’s a PC or a Console game, I got it all covered.
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NeatEase, the developers of Marvel Rivals, have revealed their first single-player game.
Titled Blood Message, the game is set in 848 AD and is inspired by actual historical events.
It is under development for PC and consoles but doesn’t have a release window yet.
Known mainly for games like Naraka Bladepoint and Marvel Rivals, NeatEase Games is a China-based studio that primarily focuses on multiplayer games. However, the company is now leaning towards the single-player genre with its new entry.
The Marvel Rivals developers have revealed their first-ever AAA single-player title called Blood Massage. A 5-minute trailer has also been dropped, which gives us an idea of what to expect from the title.
Why it matters: Based on over 20 years of experience, NetEase has finally decided to focus on single-player titles. It will be the studio’s first, and the trailer hints at an exciting adventure.
The studio says Blood Message blends brutal combat with profound Eastern storytelling. It is being developed by NetEase ThunderFire’s 24 Entertainment Studio and is based on the actual historical event of ‘Dunhuang’s Uprising’.
Set during the late Tang Dynasty in 848 AD, Players take on the role of a nameless messenger who embarks on a perilous eastward journey to deliver a message that holds the fate of his homeland.
Blood Message is the first AAA single-player title by NetEase.
The trailer is a mix of gameplay and pre-rendered footage, and fans already seem thrilled by it. The art style, visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5, and gameplay all look fascinating and something people are into.
Nonetheless, Blood Message doesn’t have a release window yet. However, it will be a multiplatform release and will launch on PC and consoles, although we don’t know which ones as of yet.
What are your thoughts on the Marvel Rivals developers’ new title, Blood Message? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers forum.
At Tech4Gamers, I’m a Senior Error Fix Writer specializing in troubleshooting problems. Each article results from deep research, testing fixes and providing solutions.
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For $50, $35, or even as low as $25, you get extremely lightweight and durable headphones from Koss.
They have great sound quality, especially if you consider how cheap they are, and it is way better than other headsets in this price range.
You get high adjustability, portability, and customization, and at this price, it is surely a steal.
If you’re looking for a headset, you’ll often find yourself with tons of options where a lot of the headphones will be heavier, complex, and expensive. But what if you could get something at a fraction of the price, and that is extremely light? This is where Koss comes in.
Although Koss has a variety of products, including even bulkier and expensive headphones, we’re interested in their on-ear category of headphones. Unlike most headsets that go over your ears, these are designed to be on your ears instead.
It’s A Steal
If we only take a look at the ones with a thin headband, these are extremely affordable, with the good ones costing $50, while others cost $30, and some go for as low as $25.
At first glance, the Porta Pro feels like the Walkman comes back to life. Koss might have taken inspiration directly from the Walkman for these headphones, which is why they have a dedicated retro section on their website.
Sony’s Walkman (Image Credits – Sony)
Unparalleled Comfort For Its Price
The amount of comfort these provide can not be matched, even if you compare them with many of the $100 gaming headsets available on the market. With other models like the KPH40X, the band is so thin that it doesn’t even feel like you’re wearing headphones.
Most of Koss’ on-ear headphones are also extremely lightweight. For instance, the KPH40x weighs 109g, which is already far lighter than most of the gaming headphones. Even Logitech’s comfortable headset weighs over 270g. Some of Koss’ models, such as the Porta Pro, are as light as 57g, which is absurd.
Adjustability
You get similar adjustable sliding mechanics, much similar to standard headphones and models like the Porta Pro X also adjust its headband automatically and sits comfortability as you try to put it on.
Extra Clamps For High Adjustability (Image Credits – YT/Sergio Scardigno)
They also have ear-clip headphones, which, like the name suggests, clip onto your ear while still hugging your ear. This is similar to how most of the In-ear monitors (IEMs) clip on your ear.
Sound Quality Better Than Most Cheaper Headsets
You’d be surprised how good some of their headphones sound, especially considering their low price. Unlike other $50 headphones with muddy mids, overemphasized bass, and poor durability, Koss’ offerings are surprisingly not bad-sounding.
Instead, you get smooth treble with just enough detail, where they’re pleasant to listen to. Moreover, they are open-back, which means you aren’t pushed into a cave. With this, you feel the sound stage, making them good at competitive games.
Porta Pro Sound Quality (Image Credits – RTINGS)
Even the $25 ones are decent in terms of sound quality. While they aren’t the best-sounding, they are still far superior, lighter, and better-sounding than other options at this range.
Not The Best Microphones
The microphones on these headsets aren’t the best, but they are what you’d expect from a headset of this price point. Additionally, the microphone doesn’t stick out from the headset but is located on the wire, similar to how mics are present in earphones, which can be a huge letdown for most people.
Big On Portability
Not only are these headsets light, but they’re also big when it comes to portability. Some models, like the Porta Pro X, can fold inwards, and there is a latch at the bottom of the earpiece, which lets you connect both ends to lock it while being folded. This is great for carrying around and putting in your bag, where it’ll take up less space.
Porta Pro’s Portability (Image Credits – Hardware Canucks)
Variety & Customization
You also have many options for the same model. For instance, with the Porta Pro, you can get the same headset in many colors, such as gold, beige, silver, pink, or black. There’s even an option for a wireless one for the same model, but it costs more.
Headsets such as the KPH30i even come with a clear case, which further enhances the retro vibe. You can even buy the ear cushions separately, which come in over four different colors.
Verdict
Such sound quality in this price range is honestly a steal, especially when you start to test and compare Koss’s on-ear headsets with others in the same price range. If you’re on a budget and can bear with some of their cons, you should consider getting them.
At Tech4Gamers, I mainly cover new gaming news, leaks, and rumours. Aside from that, I love to write features about my favourite games while inserting my opinion about their different aspects.
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Monster Hunter World has a higher 24-hour peak than its predecessor.
Many fans have reported that the recent MH title runs really poorly, and with each update, it becomes even worse.
The game has received over 80% negative reviews in the last 30 days, while its prequel has received a 90% positive rating.
The game reached nearly 1.4 million concurrent players on Steam, a notable achievement. However, just a few months after its release, the title has lost almost all of its players. As a matter of fact, Monster Hunter World has more players than its sequel.
Why it matters: Only 19% of the reviews in the last month of Monster Hunter Wilds are positive, which is one of the main reasons why the game’s player count has hit rock bottom.
Performance issues, watered-down gameplay, pathetic progression, and new “changes/addition” that amount to nothing are not worth the full price of a triple A game.
Performance gets significantly worse every single update. 3060ti, 16 gb ram, i3 12100f, and I get 20 or less fps at medium graphics. No increase in fps upon lowering settings.
-Steam Reviews
Steam is full of negative reviews regarding the game, and the main concern is performance. Players have stated that with each update, the game is becoming unplayable, and it is just the tip of the iceberg.
Due to these reasons, Monster Hunter World has more players than its sequel. For reference, the game has a 24-hour peak of over 26,000 players, while its sequel’s 24-hour peak is around 17,000.
Monster Hunter World and Wilds Steam Players | Source: SteamDB
It is also worth noting that the sequel has more than four times the all-time peak, yet its player count is still less than that of its predecessor, which is quite embarrassing. At this point, fans have given up on the recent Monster Hunter title, as it continues to decline in quality.
It is also worth noting that nearly 90% of the reviews of MH World in the last 30 days are positive, almost the opposite of Monster Hunter Wilds.
What do you think about the fact that a game has more players than its sequel despite a massive difference in the all-time high player count? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below or join the official Tech4Gamers forums for discussion.
Intel’s 18A chip manufacturing process is scheduled for mass production in the latter half of 2025.
In tests, an Arm core built with the 18A process showed a 15% performance increase over the Intel 3 process at the same power level.
Manufacturing the 18A chips will require 44% fewer masks due to the use of low-NA EUV lithography.
Intel highlighted the key advantages of its most recent manufacturing process, Intel 18A, which is set to enter mass production in the second half of 2025, over the current Intel 3 at the VLSI Symposium in Japan. Most importantly, the first chips produced using this approach are expected to enter mass production as early as the second half of 2025.
We predict that these chips will be ready for purchase by the end of this year or early in 2026.
For the company, the Intel 18A production process represents a major milestone. This node integrates the PowerVia power delivery network on the backside with new Gate-All-Around transistors. As a result, the metal stack architecture is entirely different.
It has improved performance and simplified production by modifying the interconnect pitches on essential layers and relaxing the spacing on the top layer by passing power via the die’s backside.
Intel released standardised power, performance, and area testing conducted on a subblock using an Arm core as a reference during the symposium. Compared to the Intel 3, this Arm core, which was produced utilising the Intel 18A node, showed about 15% better performance at the same power consumption.
Clock speeds might increase by up to 25% without requiring more power when the core was restricted to 1.1 volts. On the other hand, performance may rise by 18%, or power consumption could drop by nearly 40% at 0.75 volts.
Taking advantage of the symposium, Intel presented other significant enhancements related to the Intel 18A node. It has considerable reductions in cell height. Performance-tuned cells are 180 nanometres tall, while high-density designs are 160 nanometres, both smaller than their predecessors.
The front-facing metal layers have been lowered from 12 to 19 nm in the Intel 3 process to 11 to 16 nm in the Intel 18A, with three extra rear metal layers added for PowerVia compatibility.
The M1 to M10 layers’ pitches have been lowered from 60 nanometres to 32 nanometres, and the top layers’ pitches have also been lowered. The M0 to M4 layers are exposed to low-NA EUV, which simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces the number of masks required by 44%.
Additionally, compared to Intel 3, the SRAM density has improved by 30% with Intel 18A.
Later this year, Intel Panther Lake laptop processors will be the first to use Intel 18A chips. The forthcoming Intel Xeon 7 Clearwater Forest server CPUs, which are built entirely of low-power cores (E-Core), will follow these.
Currently serving as a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I have the privilege of combining my love for gaming with the art of storytelling. My role involves crafting engaging narratives that keep our audience abreast of the latest developments in the gaming world.
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Third-party Switch 2 games didn’t sell well, with one publisher claiming that the sales were below their expectations.
This is due to most titles having an older initial release.
First-party sales were decent, but aren’t considered an improvement over the original Switch.
With almost 2 weeks since its release, the first statistics for the Switch 2 are being revealed. As usual, good first-party sales are supported in both hardware and software. However, things seem a little complicated on the third-party end, which was a big focus for Nintendo this time around.
New report reveals that third-party Switch 2 games haven’t been performing that great.
Why it matters: Nintendo’s biggest marketing point for Switch 2 was its expansion of supporting third-party games. However, this tactic isn’t working for them, judging by this report.
Reported via The Game Business, one third-party publisher characterised these lower sales to them as “below our lowest estimates.” Out of all these third-party games, Cyberpunk 2077 secured the most sales.
The lack of third-party game sales could be due to these titles being older releases that have just been ported to Switch, such as Hogwarts Legacy, Hitman, and more. Moreover, the Switch 2 isn’t the best place to play these AAA games in general.
For the first Switch, most owners already had a primary way of gaming, whether it was a console or a PC. The same scenario is also expected for Switch 2, and gamers will likely prefer it for Nintendo games only.
Sony Doesn’t View Nintendo As Their Competitor In The AAA Game Space
First-party sales were good and weren’t an improvement over the original Switch, since more consoles were sold this time, and the first-party catalogue was also bigger.
This is primarily due to the backwards compatibility support that the Switch 2 has, meaning players can play their existing game library on the new console. Overall, Mario Kart Bundle had the most first-party software sales, accounting for 80%.
What are your thoughts on this report? Do you think Switch 2 is a viable platform for third-party gaming, or is the first-party area where they’re fine at sticking? Let us know in the comments below, or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.
Intel’s future processor, Panther Lake, is expected to be an improvement over Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake.
A more significant architectural shift is anticipated with Nova Lake, which will introduce a new RingBus design.
The upcoming Nova Lake architecture is significant as Intel competes with AMD’s forthcoming Zen 6.
We can agree that Intel had many obvious faults indicative of an architecture developed long in advance, which were oddly lessened in Lunar Lake, even if Arrow Lake was a step forward for Intel in many aspects.
The most intriguing item will be what comes next year, but Panther Lake, which is almost ready for launch, will have several upgrades over these two systems. The answers will arrive with Nova Lake, and they mostly entail several fundamental setups built on a recently unveiled new RingBus.
Intel will introduce a series of improvements that, in principle, appear promising. As we already know, there will be two types of CPU configurations, which we’ve summarised on a few occasions and which you’ll have seen in the image above, so we’ll skip that theoretical part and move on to the latest leaks.
To reduce overall latency, Intel had to overclock the Core Ultra 200S. This is likely to be standard in the next Core Ultra 300S upgrade, which is effectively a palliative rehash with enhanced AI performance, at least, that’s what leaks have suggested.
Given this configuration, Arrow Lake now has the following, taking into consideration the two rows of cores on either side of the Tile, divided by the middle L2 and L3, with “P” denoting the P-cores and “E” denoting the E-cores.
Intel will initially include two P-cores in the CPU Tile arrangement in order to prioritise performance and minimise latency in demanding games. This is something that both core configurations will initially have, as each will have four cores available.
In the first configuration, there will be two clusters of E-Cores in a row, followed by two P-Cores at the end. We insist on having two P-Cores on each side of L2 and L3, so the count is actually twice, even though we are only examining one RingBus row. This is where the variations originate.
In the second configuration, on either side of the CPU tile, the E-Core cluster will appear after the two P-Cores, followed by two additional P-Cores and then another E-Core cluster.
The highest-performance option that separates the Core Ultra 9 from the Core Ultra 7 is the second base tile, as the latency between the P-Cores is shorter than in the original setup, which occurs at the beginning and end of the CPU Tile. The intriguing aspect of this is that, as can be seen in the first slide above, Intel will have up to 8 P-Cores with low latency in CPUs, utilising the two Base Tiles.
To enhance performance in games that require high-performance cores, they would first have 16 E-Cores. After that, one of the Base Tiles would choose to have four P-Cores. Lastly, for games that are highly optimised, the P-Core of the other Base Tile would stay at the end of that CPU Tile.
With its multi-core configurations and potential new RingBus, Nova Lake appears quite promising in light of all of this. However, there is still more work to be done to increase the excitement, as AMD and Intel need to narrow a significant gap, and Zen 6 is rapidly approaching.
Currently serving as a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I have the privilege of combining my love for gaming with the art of storytelling. My role involves crafting engaging narratives that keep our audience abreast of the latest developments in the gaming world.
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MindsEye studio Co-CEO reportedly described the team as “lazy and incompetent.”
The studio’s internal conditions were rough from the beginning, with employees saying it’s a terrible place to work.
The studio is reportedly working on a sequel to MindsEye and a new title based on a TV show.
When it was first revealed that former Rockstar employees, including GTA 5’s producer, were working together on a new game to revive cinematic blockbusters, everyone was patiently seated.
Following negative previews, lack of marketing, and internal turmoil within the studio, MindsEye turned out to be a terrible failure at launch. Now, a new report suggests that Build A Rocket Boy’s co-CEO, Mark Gerhard, called the MindsEye development team “Lazy and Incompetent.”
Why it matters: Despite having some of the industry’s best talent and fan support, MindsEye was a terrible failure. This report, along with earlier news, suggests that the internal studios’ conditions were far from ideal, and the game was destined to fail from the outset.
This claim comes from BaityBait on YouTube, who stated that after the co-CEO’s comment, the studio’s atmosphere deteriorated significantly. Earlier, Build a Rocket Boy’s chief legal officer and chief financial officer also left the studio, just a week before MindsEye’s launch.
Combined with the fact that employees have also expressed concerns over the studio being a terrible place to work, it was no surprise that MindsEye was released in such a rough state.
However, this major setback won’t stop the studio, which aims to bounce back from it. The same video reports that Build a Rocket Boy is currently working on two new titles.
One title is reportedly an adaptation of a well-known TV show. Beyond that, a MindsEye sequel is also being eyed for a 2026 release and will feature multiplayer.
From the beginning, MindsEye was described as an episodic release, with new content being added featuring new stories. It’s unknown if the sequel is a new content update or a standalone release.
Currently serving as a News Reporter at Tech4Gamers, I have the privilege of combining my love for gaming with the art of storytelling. My role involves crafting engaging narratives that keep our audience abreast of the latest developments in the gaming world.
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A promising open-world Dungeons & Dragons RPG, codenamed Project Dante, was in development by Hidden Path Entertainment from 2021 to 2023.
The game featured dynamic combat, puzzle-solving, and a party system, closely resembling Dragon’s Dogma in its early gameplay footage.
Despite fan demand, the project was cancelled due to funding issues, resulting in 44 layoffs from the studio.
Spanning multiple entertainment mediums: board games, cinema, and video games, Dungeons & Dragons remains one of the most recognised IPs among geeks and gamers alike.
The franchise has achieved significant success in the gaming world, with Baldur’s Gate 3 being a prime example. While most Dungeons & Dragons video games tend to lean toward MMOs, an open-world RPG was also in development by Hidden Path Entertainment between 2021 and 2023.
Why it matters: Fans have long been calling for a fully-fledged open-world Dungeons & Dragons RPG. Unfortunately, this title was cancelled, but it also makes us wonder how many cool and amazing video games were scrapped without the public knowing.
The gameplay footage (courtesy of GameVicio) was titled Project Dante and, on first look, seemed awfully similar to Dragon’s Dogma. Although still early footage from development, everything looked excellent and met what D&D fans have demanded for years.
The footage featured melee and ranged combat, as well as puzzle elements in the open world. Moreover, the main character would also be accompanied by teammates.
The project was cancelled due to insufficient funding, which resulted in the layoffs of 44 members from the developer studio. Still, it’s a shame that the project was shelved and may never see the light of day.
From the looks of it, Baldur’s Gate 3 was released in the same timeline, so it’s possible that all the funding and resources were shifted to Larian Studios.
What are your thoughts on this cancelled Dungeons and Dragons title? Would you have loved to play the open-world RPG? Let us know in the comments below, or at the official Tech4Gamers Forums.
At Tech4Gamers, I mainly cover new gaming news, leaks, and rumours. Aside from that, I love to write features about my favourite games while inserting my opinion about their different aspects.
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Giants like Sony and Microsoft have been laying off employees one after another.
As per a new report, Microsoft is planning to lay off thousands of employees next month.
The company is expected to announce this news at the start of July.
Layoffs in the gaming industry have been occurring frequently for a couple of years now, which highlights the industry’s poor condition. Companies like Microsoft and Sony have been at the very middle of this trend, and it isn’t going to die off any time soon.
Why it matters:The gaming giant has laid off over 6000 employees this year already, so its planning to lay off even more is extremely concerning.
Satya Nadella secured over $30 million in a raise despite seeing over 2500+ job cuts.
According to Bloomberg, the company is planning to lay off thousands of employees, following a layoff of 6000 employees just a few weeks ago.
Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) is planning to ax thousands of jobs, particularly in sales, as part of the company’s latest move to trim its workforce amid heavy spending on artificial intelligence.
-Bloomberg
The media outlet also reported that the layoffs are expected to be announced early next month, as this would coincide with the end of Microsoft’s fiscal year. Previously, in May, Microsoft laid off 6k people in the product and engineering market. So, the sales and marketing team was safe then, too.
Microsoft Cutting Jobs Again May Be Pretty Bad For The Industry
The company is laying off employees at a massive rate, which is pretty unfortunate. This is because those who were laid off may find it hard to get another job at this level again.
It should also be noted that the company hasn’t confirmed anything yet. Bloomberg is the source of this report, and this media outlet has been largely accurate, so it would be reasonable to consider this news credible.
What do you think about the gaming giant preparing to ax even more jobs? Do you think this is fair? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below or join the official Tech4Gamers forums for discussion.
At Tech4Gamers, I contribute as a Senior News Reporter, combining my skills and gaming enthusiasm to keep our audience updated on the latest developments.
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Gaming influencers are slowly becoming the primary source of information for fans of the industry.
Their unique opinions and connection with audiences have given them an edge over traditional journalists.
This shift will become even more apparent moving forward as audiences shift their focus toward their favorite personalities rather than standard reporters.
The terms gaming influencers and gaming journalists have slowly become synonymous with each other. Although there was a clear divide between the two in the past, the distinction is now much harder to distinguish.
Many influencers are adopting journalistic roles today, significantly altering how audiences consume content in the modern era.
Why it matters: The rise of social media and various other platforms has given everyone a chance to share their opinions, leading to unique personalities and influencers gaining popularity online.
Influencer-Journalist Hybrids
In the past, gaming news outlets and websites were the primary sources for industry updates, reviews, and interviews. Journalists would attend conferences, conduct interviews with developers, and provide their audience with in-depth analysis of upcoming titles.
Meanwhile, influencers would create content focused more on entertainment, gameplay, or personality-driven streams. However, this is no longer the case as influencers are increasingly becoming involved in gaming news.
They typically report on the latest developments, breaking news, and industry trends. Youtubers like Angry Joe, who started out reviewing games, now have separate segments for gaming news on their channels.
Elsewhere, many influencers have developed their own platforms or partnered with gaming publications, giving them direct access to industry information.
Demand For Real-Time Content
Gaming Streamers (Image Credits – HitPaw)
A major reason for this shift is the demand for real-time content. Gamers want to stay updated with each new piece of gaming information, something that has given rise to a new form of news reporting.
Influencers with large followings typically break news on social media these days and may even share details through livestreams and videos. They can even engage with audiences through special previews that traditional journalists may not have access to.
Moreover, platforms like Twitch and YouTube enable influencers to interact with their audiences in real-time during live events. This can help them capture the buzz of a huge announcement, such as GTA 6’s release date or Resident Evil 9’s debut trailer.
Merging Entertainment and Information
Gaming influencers are merging entertainment with information. Many have taken on analytical roles, delving deeply into discussions about industry practices, the latest games, and more.
Influencers are also able to produce professional-level video content, giving them the ability to surpass journalists, as audiences typically connect with influencers on a more personal level.
As an example, video reviews are now more popular than written reviews. Fans also engage with commentary videos of various types, highlighting the importance of influencer opinions in the modern era.
A New Era
Ultimately, this trend demonstrates the evolution of gaming over the years. Gamers today don’t visit the same websites or follow the traditional sources of news, and instead have chosen to broaden their horizons.
Influencers who have been around for a while now have dedicated audiences and communities, while various news outlets struggle to capture audience interests, highlighting the more severe impacts of this shift.
